Curtain-clamp.



.0. 'P. MEGAHAN.

CURTAIN CLAMP.-

APPLICATION men MAR. 11, ms.

'1 1 76,56, Patented Mar. 21, 1916.

- CURTAIN-CLAMP.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 21, 1916.

Application filed March 11, 1915. Serial No. 13,703.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, OLIVER P. MEGAHAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Westerville in. the county of Franklin and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Curtain- Clamps; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as willenable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates broadly to improvements in curtain stretchers, and specifically to a clamp for securing the curtain to the stretching frame.

The object of the invention is to provide an extremely simple device of this class which may be easily and inexpensively manufactured, yet will be very eflicient in operation.

With this end in view, the invention resides in. certain novel features of construction and combination hereinafter described and claimed.

In describing the invention, I shall refer to the accompanying drawing wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a clamp constructed in accordance with my inventending ears 3 through which a transverse pivot pin 4 is passed, whereby to hingedly or pivotally connect the two plates. The front ends of both of the jaw plates are curved outwardly away from each other and then continued forwardly as at 5, sald ends being then folded inwardly substantially upon themselves at the points 6, thus providing a pair of gripping jaws 7 wh1ch diverge rearwardly to a slight extent. The jaws 7 likewise converge rearwardly in respect to each other as clearly shown in Flgs. 1 and 2, thus causing their rear edges to be them most eflicient points. These aws, however, are preferably, though not necessarlly, surrounded by cushioning bands 8 wh1ch are preferably formed of rubber. By the means, the article to be clamped will be effectively gripped by said jaws.

The rear end 1- of the lower jaw plate 1 is curved downwardlyor away from the rear end 2 of the upper jawplate 2, and terminates in a transversely extending loop or sleeve 9. The rear end 2 of the jaw plate 2 on the other hand, is curved upwardly or outwardly away from the rear end 1 of the plate 1, is then bent inwardly toward said end 1' to provide a spring 11, and terminates 1n contact therewith as seen at 12 the portion 12 being preferably curved rearwardly to provide a member which may rock upon the rear end 1 of the jaw plate 1, when the rear ends of the two plates are forced toward each other against the tension of the spring 11.

By constructing "the clamp as above set forth, it will be evident that although the same :is very simple and may be constructed of but two metal plates, it will be very efficient in operation.

In order to provide for-the attachment of the clamp to a stretching frame, a bail-13 is loosely held in the loop 9, and a coiled spring 14 is connected at one end to said bail, said spring being here shown as having a hook 15 on its other end. The hook 15 is adapted to engage a screw eye 16 carried by any preferred type of stretching frame F (see Figs. 3 and 4).

I have described but one of the clamps, and the manner of attaching the same to the frame, but by reference to the aforesaid Figs. 3 and 4, it will be seen that any number of these clamps might be provided, that they may be placed considerable distances from each other as seen in Fig. 3, or that they may be disposed with their edges in contact. As seen in Fig. 4, this last described position of parts is particularly advantageous, since the curtain C will not be scalloped around its edge when the clamps are disposed in this manner.

The foregoing description, and the illustration in the drawings, are thought to be suflicient to enable those skilled in the art to which the invention relates to make and use the same. Further description or exposition will not therefore be entered into.

, I claim:

A clamp of the class described compris ng a pair of plates of irregular outllne havlng flat portions intermediate thelr ends disposed in parallel relation and hinged toand also being bowed outwardly, said last named end being then bent inwardly in the 13 form of an S with its lower curve bearing on the first named rear end in advance of the aforesaid loop to form a spring for forcing the two jaws toward each other.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set 20 my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

OLIVER P. MEGAHAN. Witnesses:

F. M. RANCK,

FRED D. FLEMING. 

